Six Steps to Eating (and Feeling) Like a Rockstar

Six Steps to Eating (and Feeling) Like a Rockstar

But not the kind of rockstar that’s aged, sunken in, doped out, and haggard — I mean the rockstar with long, flowy hair, gets all the dates, looks like a million bucks, and feels like a million bucks.

So what does a person have to do to become a rockstar? Maybe score a top-notch agent and sign onto a mega label. Probably not going to happen. Well if I can’t be a rockstar, perhaps I can at least feel like one. The strength to toss a guitar offstage, the energy to sing all night, and the confidence to take on anything that comes my way.

So what does a person have to do to feel like a rockstar? That’s easy.

1) Drink More Water.

The body is 75% water, so it makes sense to keep our bodies replenished. How much you need to drink will depend on your personal body, level of physical of activity, the climate, and your diet.

If you are feeling tight, contracted, suffering from stress, headaches, and bodily tension, you may want to increase your water consumption.

Cravings for sweets may also indicate dehydration.

Always drink a glass of water upon waking in the morning; this will help awaken the body and start the metabolism process.

If you don’t like the “taste” of water, try adding a squeeze of lemon, a slice of fruit, or even a small amount of fresh juice. Experiment to find something that will get you drinking more water.

2) Practice Cooking.

Cooking is the simplest and most enjoyable way to reconnect with the food you eat. By getting comfortable in the kitchen, you can save time and money by preparing your own foods and taking direct control over your health.

Experiment by adding fresh herbs, spices, and sea salt to any favorite recipes.

Save time and effort by prepping larger amounts of food at once. For example, prep a large bag of vegetables in one night, and use them in salads and stir-fries for the next several days. Or cook a large pot of rice and use it for dinners, soups, and snacks.

3) Increase Whole Grains.
It’s easy to get hooked on starchy foods like chips, pretzels, and cookies, which are generally refined, sugary grains that feed into our states of disease. But when you incorporate more whole grains into the diet, like brown rice, quinoa, and barley, you naturally feel more satisfied from these complex carbohydrates and will be less inclined to turn to the refined snack foods.

Try snacking on a whole grain next time you feel the need to open a bag of chips. If you are craving something starchy and salty, try a small bowl of rice with soy sauce. You might be surprised how much this satisfies that snack craving.

4) Increase Sweet Vegetables.
Rather than depending on processed sugar when a sweet tooth hits, add naturally sweet foods into your diet — this will dramatically reduce sugar cravings. Certain vegetables develop a delicious sweetness when cooked. These include: sweet potatoes, carrots, beets, onions, butternut squash, and other root vegetables. These vegetables not only curb a sweet tooth, but they also soothe internal organs and nourish the stomach. Unlike eating processed sweets, these naturally sweet vegetables leave you feeling grounded and calm.

5) Increase Leafy Green Vegetables.
Dark green, fresh vegetables are the most lacking food in today’s American diets. Greens are essential to our health! They strengthen the blood, open the respiratory system, cleanse the liver, and provide a multitude of necessary nutrients. Leafy greens to choose from at the market include: kale, bok choy, napa cabbage, collards, watercress, mustard greens, dandelion, and wild greens. Try out a new green each time you go to the store; add it to a salad, a sandwich, or a stir-fry! Make an effort to eat at least one green, leafy vegetable every day and see how amazing you begin to feel.

6) Slowly Remove Refined Foods From Your Diet.
No single diet can be completely changed overnight, and no one wants to lose the joy or comfort in what they eat! Begin looking at your diet and taking notice of all the refined foods: sodas, chips, pastries, pretzels, refined dairy, processed meats, frozen meals… Now think of whole-food replacements for each of these foods, and begin slowly making the changes in your diet. Perhaps one week you will replace soda with lemon water or spritzer. Maybe the next week you will replace pretzels with fresh popcorn. Maybe the next week you replace candy bars with dark chocolate and fruit. Change comes over time, and before you know it, you will be eating a wholesome diet without any extra effort or thought.

Are these changes going to make you a rockstar? Doubt it. But chances are, you’ll be feeling like a rockstar in no time at all.